Oh, BTW...
http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/341879370184022.php
Here's the text....
New law to monitor the salvaging of wrecks in The Bahamas
By Yasmin Popescu
Yasmin@nasguard.com
Hearing about pirates of long ago some assume that they no longer exist.
But, The Bahamas recently worked on laws to fight piracy which would mean that we are at possible risk.
And while some feel that the thought of treasure maps and seeking treasures in our waters are as far fetched as the finding of Atlantis, we may find ourselves in for a bit of a shock.
The Bahamas' very history tells of ships that sank off its shores laden with gold and silver headed to the old world, even right off the shores of Grand Bahama.
The only Bahamian Archeologist, Michael Pateman recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Lucaya about the Antiquities Act and its importance to the country, at which time he also told of pirates who have been in our waters attempting to bring up treasure and removing it from the country unnoticed.
Pateman noted that in the past persons would come into the country asking for permission to salvage wrecks, on which they would find many items which would leave the country without anything coming to the country.
The finders would be rewarded handsomely and the treasure would not be traced back to the country.
In an effort to make sure that the country is also rewarded, the Antiquities Act was written and debated in Parliament.
Patemen said that with this document they will be able to monitor the persons who come into the country dive/salvage wrecks.
First they would need a license to do so which will cost $1,000.00.
He said that there is a limit on the number of licenses that would be issued at one time and the persons would have to state where they would be working exactly, and their positions would be monitored.
They would also have to give daily reports on their finds and document all the findings.
He noted that in the present legislation the country would receive 25 percent of all the profits from the recoveries.
With the changes that are going on Pateman said there is room for more archeologists in The Bahamas, and as they also need more scuba divers to assist in monitoring this fast opening field.
At present there is a stop on wrecking until all the necessary items are in place to monitor it better.
-- the "Sea Robin" --
? Is that why you have an attitude?
